James Alan Shore

James Alan Shore, 74, died in the early morning hours on Jan 2, 2022, following a tragic accident while providing service to his family.

Jim was born Oct 12, 1947, in Salt Lake City, Utah to Clarence William Shore and Helen Grace Owen Shore, the 2nd of 4 children. He was living in Centerville, Utah at the time of his passing with his wife Sylvia Stewart Shore. He is also survived by his 2 daughters, Melanie Ann Shore Montgomery and Amy Marie Shore.

Jim lived and attended schools in the Millcreek, Utah area, graduating from Granite High School in 1965. Jim served an LDS mission to Brazil from 1967-1969 and also served in the National Guard. Following his mission, he attended the University of Utah and graduated cum laude in 1973 with a BA in accounting and earned his CPA that same year. He worked as an auditor/accountant for various firms in Oregon and Utah until he chose to work independently in 1999. Jim was still working at the time of his death, and often joked that he would be buried still holding onto the tax code. He was not wrong.

In 1976, Jim decided he was tired of being single and made it a point to find a companion. He met Sylvia Stewart that same year, and after a road trip with friends, they became engaged. They were married in the Salt Lake LDS Temple Nov. 20, 1976. Jim loved his family most of all and was completely devoted to his wife and children.

He was active in the LDS church and was known for bringing the fun and jokes to the party with his unique sense of humor and fun personality. Jim enjoyed heading up boating trips to Lake Powell with the young adults of his neighborhood, and up until his death, would frequently reminisce about all the fun times had on those trips. He loved teaching small children about how to tie knots in ropes and then would build his church lessons around the topic.

Jim was known for his big smile, which was always present. He never held a grudge and always looked for the best in people, welcoming everyone into his life. He was even known to make friends in random places. Instances include becoming pen pals with a veteran he met at the Grand Canyon and making friends with families he met at cemeteries on Memorial Day. If his family couldn’t find him while on vacation, they knew he was most likely off somewhere making a new friend.

He was very active throughout his life and enjoyed boating, waterskiing, basketball, softball, golf (which he nicknamed “hit-and-giggle”) and his all-time favorite: TENNIS! He made many good friends through tennis and played for almost 40 years. He had just finished his weekly tennis time with his daughter Melanie an hour before his tragic accident. He was in great shape, great health, and seemed to never age.

He especially enjoyed times with his daughters and shared many special outings with Amy at Utah Jazz games, both at the arena and in front of the tv. He coached both his daughters in basketball and soccer when they were young and was always a positive influence in their lives and the lives of their friends. Any time the girls introduced him to a new friend, he instantly adopted them as one of his own kids. He loved people and made everyone feel welcome, no matter their story, and was a second dad to many.

Jim loved music and played trombone, guitar and sang in choirs. He enjoyed dutch oven cooking, baking bread, and making a special breakfast he called “cheesy egg.” He was active in the Sons of Utah Pioneers and acted as Treasurer up until the time of his death. He was an avid reader with stacks of books all around him. He leaves behind many, many good friends who will miss him dearly. He and Sylvia have great memories of times with friends, especially trips to Brazil and most recently a cross-country church history trip with his brother Scott, sister Nancy and brother-in-law Jon, and best friends Don Christensen and Steve and Marla Carlsen.

Jim is survived by his wife, Sylvia, daughters Melanie and Amy, siblings David William Shore (Nancy), Scott Owen Shore, Nancy Claire Shore Faldmo (Jon), and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Clarence and Helen Shore, his son-in-law Scott Montgomery, and his favorite fur buddies, Lilly the Pug and Phil the Poodle (his devoted lap dog).

We know he is happy to be reunited with those who have gone before him and is probably chatting up a storm and having a lot of laughs as they welcome him home. We will miss him and his dad jokes, amazing smile, and unconditional love.

We love you Jim and miss you so much.

Family and friends may gather for a viewing on Friday, January 7, 2022, 6-8 PM at Russon Bountiful Mortuary, 295 S. Main St, Bountiful, Utah 84010. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 8, 2022, 11:00 AM at Ricks Creek Chapel, 1475 North 50 East, Centerville, Utah 84014 with a viewing from 9:30-10:30 AM prior to services. Interment will be at the Memorial Lakeview Cemetery, Bountiful Utah.

Due to the unexpected manner of Jim’s death, the family is in need of financial assistance with funeral costs instead of flowers. If you would like to donate to funeral expenses, a fund has been set up under the Jim Shore Charitable Account at America First Credit Union, account 9122441, by calling 1-800-999-3961, or via venmo: @widowwedonow last four digits 3384.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary & Crematory Facebook page and on this obituary page. Streaming will begin about 15 minutes prior to services.

Services will also be streamed live on Zoom by the Centerville 2nd Ward at this link: https://zoom.us/j/95804334243?pwd=bVBUME45dEd2ZUkyVWgzMXhtWHlRQT09
Meeting ID: 958 0433 4243
Passcode: 906976